Mayor of Springfield discusses search for new Police Department following mass resignations
SPRINGFIELD, Colo. (KRDO) -- BY July 15, 2022, every officer in the Springfield Police Department (SPD) resigned.
The Mayor of Springfield, Tyler Gibson, said two officers left to take positions elsewhere, and the Chief, Katrina Martin, told him she had to leave for personal reasons. Gibson said that while the timing is unfortunate, the resignations do not appear to have been motivated by any improper acts by the officers.
Resignation letters for the officers, obtained by 13 Investigates, do not provide any additional context to the sudden exodus of Springfield police department employees which left the town without a functioning police department.
The resignation letter from Chief Martin served as a resignation letter for all three officers that left. Martin stated in her letter that her last day as Chief would be July 15, Officer Jonah West's last day would be July 13, and Officer Dustin Martin's last day would be July 15.
Dustin Martin did submit a brief letter that stated he would keep his part-time status to help with evidence and training.
The Mayor is looking to fill the positions for the police department since the Sheriff's office is now covering the whole town.
The Mayor says that depending on qualifications, the Cheifs salary ranges from $60k- $90k, a Sergeants salary ranges from $44k-$61K and, an Officers salary ranges from $37,500- $52,500. The Mayor also said that there is no timetable to fill the positions.
“Our hope would be to have the search completed within the next thirty to sixty days. Whether or not that is possible, we will see," Springfield Mayor Tyler Gibson said. "We don’t just want a warm body in there. We want to make sure it is a good, suitable fit for the community. and somebody who can last. We don’t want to move quickly and irrationally in this.”
If you are interested in applying for a position within the Springfield Police Department, Gibson asks you to call the Springfield Town Hall for information on applying.
